Post Match Warriors v Knights - [Round 8, 2025]

[FormerlyJamesW]

Erin Clark is a fricken stud, man.

Attack looked better and continues to improve week on week.

Happy for the double for the falcon.

Taine should be kicking anything that’s not directly in front.

 

[snake77]

So, this is what winning on ANZAC Day feels like.

Been too long.

 

[Bluecat]

Well done. We were favourites to win and we won well.
So.much to celebrate.
WE ARE THE WARRIORS!!!

 

[Makasene]

Simple, direct game plan that continues to be executed well.

Expansion of attack in the red zone, targeting all channels both sides of the field.

Winning with key players out.

Top 4 should be the goal now

 

[snake77]

Good seeing Ford get over for 2 in his 50th for the club.

Clark dude is a terror in the middle.

Glad to see Leban getting some minutes. Adding more competition to our squad. He's looking in good shape.

 

[roguei]

Honestly gotta be metcalf's best game. Would of been 3 more trys off of him if we had a more experienced 2nd rower, center and winger. Really simple icing of some opptunities.

 

[Mr Drag]

Ugly game to watch but did what we needed to for the 2 points. Egan MOM for me and Clark not far behind. We will need to improve again for the Cowboys in magic round.

Not bad without Fish! and we winning without even getting close to our potential

 

[Five&Last]

Clark has been our player of the year by landslide so far. What a guy.

Metcalf was class tonight. I think our halves cop of a lot of flack for clunky attack that I would blame on Capewell, Ford, Niukore etc running shit lines and being uncoordinated in running shape.

Halasima needs to be starting for the rest of the season. Which means Niukore needs to stay at prop which suits him better imo, he doesn't have enough footwork or ball skills to justify him being out wide.

Overall was a pretty messy win. A lot of opportunistic tries. But cant complain with a W against a team we were expected to beat.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

This win feels like that grindy part of the season now. Good to nail 4 points in New Zealand after the storm game.

Huge road travel now for the next month.

If we can keep this up till origin somehow.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Don't know about you guys but I'm over Niukore, what does he actually offer that the kids don't?

 

[Completion Rate]

I really liked the red numbers on this jersey. Looked slick as.

 

[Kestrel84]

From the press conference it sounds like Niukore's days as a backrower are over. Webby pretty clear that his future is probably at prop and Leka needs to start and Laban deserves to be in the team...

 

[run_it_str8_again]

With 2 fullbacks and 3 centres we won with zero wingers and our marquee signing and a whole bunch of mid level wouldn't get a start at any other club guys.

Winning in itself is a challenge. But winning cold night games, wet rainy night games and being where we are after 7 games is so much further ahead than I envisaged pre season.

 

[Citygirl]

It actually wasn't very cold at the game, quite mild in fact. I didn't think it was an ugly win, we never looked like losing, only time Knights got on top was at the start of the second half. Knights kicking was terrible. Savage was great and we're not sick of the team song down here in CHC

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

Be a pretty boring game for the neutral, ol’ Kasey badge getting the microscope out, lots of bomb to Pompey.

Metcalf plays with heaps of effort, how many halfbacks are scrambling to the corner to save tries.

Good to see leka start and also a good reality check that he won’t just break the line for tries every week.

Poor old knights looked like the late stage Kearney teams, toiling away but no idea how to score points.

 

[Rizzah]

People saying Ponga's done - Geez, who's playing well in that Knights team? Knights look badly coached.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Two players that I reckon are getting unfair criticism tonight

Pompey - had a big hand in 3 of our tries and is usually safe in the air and safe in defence. Yes, he's a bit slow, but still a great player for us with such an outside back crisis right now.

Ponga - what's he gonna do in that Knights team right now? Front foot ball for us running off our plays and he'd be great I think. In fact I think there'd be a few good players looking at us right now knowing that they might be the missing piece. I reckon we need one big signing to get 1 or 2 more as players look for the next big premiership contender.

 

[roguei]

I thought Metcalf's bombs were largely too long for Rocco and the Chasers (great band name by the way) to put any pressure on Ponga. I think you give up the extra 5 min and let our players compete, especially in the rain.

Overall Metcalf was pretty impressive tonight I thought, continuing to grow and now that he's getting used to the players around him. It was a shame Ali bombed that try as that was a Metcalf try assist gone begging

That and the cut out pass to TT bulleting right past Ali. Shame TT didn't lift his legs, DWZ lands that every time. And before that the Leka shepherd no try. There were a good few set plays that were inches away from being a try.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Our attack is still clunky but I actually think we made some real progress on attacking shape this game. Just to drop a few comments here:

1. Kicking: I'm tempted to giving the kicking tee to TT. He kicked a clutch goal for us in magic round last year and nailed his not-so-difficult attempt today. Sooner or later the kicking is going to cost us a game.

2. Forwards: Even without JFH, we dominated the middle. Outran by over 300m and ran for close to 2000M again. 5 forwards ran for over 100 m (Capewell, Ford, Barney, Leka, Clark). In comparison Knights only had one (Thompson). Ford gets a lot of shit on this forum sometimes but he always does a job for us in the middle, both on attack and in defense. Capes finding a bit of form. The four forward bench works for us.

3. CNK: 270M. What a beast. Vindicated the extension decision. He may not be the flashiest FB in the Reece Walsh mould but he's exactly what we need within our system. TT has flair but he can't do what CNK does for us in terms of yardage. It's no wonder we went back to our 2000ish meter average in this game. Our meters in the Broncos game was down without him (only roughly 1500m instead of our 1900-2000m norm).

5-2-1 and solidifying our position in the top 4 for another week is awesome. Next week we can do even better and solidify a top 3 position because Canberra plays Melbourne. So if we beat the cows, we can move 2 pts ahead of the loser of that game who will be 4th.

 

[Riz]

It actually wasn't very cold at the game, quite mild in fact. I didn't think it was an ugly win, we never looked like losing, only time Knights got on top was at the start of the second half. Knights kicking was terrible. Savage was great and we're not sick of the team song down here in CHC

Awesome atmosphere, big ups to the Cantabs for getting out to support the boys. I agree with you, being at the ground it didn't seem like an ugly game at all and we were fairly dominant throughout. Also, unlike most, I thought Marata was pretty good tonight.

Bring on next year at the new stadium!

 

[Gods_17]

We Rocked 'em, a Fantastic crowd all round here tonight, Onya Christchurchians, Onya!! Celebrating and high five'n strangers' an adrenalin filled wholesome feeling, I mean, yeah Let's GO Baby haha! Definite result and the halftime Entertainment was just so... Right! Savage "Ooo Aah Up The Wahs, Ooo Aah Up The Wahs!"

Egan's lead, Tackles and Try was Brilliant (again fan'fu(k^n'tastic!) Ford deserves as he serves Perfect off the pine (2 trys, right time and perfectly placed!) Pompey, guys he got some smarts (errors aside but 2 trys!) Charnze IS Our FB (Monster!) Could and should post more but I'm goooone as Fatty V would say.

Anyhow, Sleep well my NZWarriors Whanau. We gonna beat them cowgirls next weekend.

Up The Wahs! *Drops mike

 

[Beastmode]

Just finished watching a replay. Cracking game.

Man when we think about a few years ago many of us couldn't figure out how Berry was a first squad member. But my god he's gotten so much better!

Yeah I just watched the replay already knowing the score

great game to watch! No stress!!

Two no-try’s from CNK and TT
Casey Badger was our friend for once. Lots of no-try’s to the Knights thank you Ms

Could have won by a lot more but I’m not complaining …

Grade : A

Leka is a beast. Wished he’d just pin his head back and go for the try line when in the red zone on his first touch. instead he stopped to step which killed his momentum ….

Old man Caps has really grown on me the last few weeks. High football IQ. That catch and pass for Pompey’s try was so good. Also found a few gaping holes to run into

Oh yeah, Clark is a BEAST

CNK solid as ever. Takes the hard yards up the middle when we need it early in the count.

Two pies to FORD. Congrats

Great way to start the weekend.

Up the Wahs

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Would like to show some appreciation to Harris - Tavita. Hes been a integral part of our success so far this season. A defensive rock, A steadying influence at 6 and becoming more comfortable in his role.

Unfortunately, He doesn't get the grace that Metcalf gets. Continually mocked for his disastrous goal kicking/drop goal efforts in a certain game we lost.
Kid is improving and I hope him & Metcalf become the longterm halves partners we've been waiting for.

Ford, I haven't been a fan of. But shit, He is impressing me! Big quality minutes, Speed , Footwork & now a try scoring wizard!? Lol. I tip my hat to you sir.

 

[CWC]

Ennis recognizing CHT while others talking up Metcalf, says Barney will be first picks with Haas for NSW, and Clark was great especially us letting Walker go

 

[Beastmode]

Yeah can’t get enough of Erin Clark

What a UNIT
Built like. A Tank
Low center of gravity
Good hands
Doesn’t give away penalties
Doesn’t miss tackles
Makes the hard yards up the middle when needed
Easily the best buy so far this season…

 

[The Undertaker]

We never once looked like losing that game. From set 1, we looked hungrier and more effective than the knights and for me, it was just a matter of time before the floodgates opened. And that’s pretty much how it was.

Our defense was solid. I thought as a defensive unit, we were gritty and executed well on the hole. Clark was once again outstanding and a lock for POTY. What a gem we have found to replace Tohu!

Marata going into the middle is inspired - whilst there were a few errors there and a sin bin (a touch unlucky but that’s where the game is right now) I thought he did ok and added some steel alongside Egan Ford and Barnett. Bench prop is probably his bag now.

We bombed a few opportunities but we are creating! TT was unlucky - Dal prob would have score that though! CNK was unlucky - Leka was perhaps a touch naive with his running line.

Our team (despite OB injuries) is looking way more balanced with Demetric Leka and Jacob in the side. Wish Fish RTS and Dal not far away, it’s going to be tough on a few players who will ship back down to Cup. Our depth this year has really improved!

Pathways and an injection of classy young players have lifted this team into the best position we have had in years. And they look like a super happy squad too. Don’t underestimate how culture is impacting results. Maybe it was time for SJ Tohu AFB to leave to let others shine.

Really happy with the performance and still we haven’t hit our ceiling. Cows next at Magic Round.

Once again,, my favorite coach to batter in Toddy P. Mr Rejection has a few issues up there and the way we are playing, we should beat them.

Anzac Day wins are special and it’s another curse we have now shaken off. Only the Melbourne one remains.

Onwards to Brisbane. I hope Titans win today and beat Dogs next week.

 

[Citygirl]

Loved to see this quote from Erin Clark

“I’m happy here, bro,’’ the Kiwis international said. ”I’m valued here and I’m learning heaps under this coaching staff and the players.“

 

[Makasene]

Loved to see this quote from Erin Clark

“I’m happy here, bro,’’ the Kiwis international said. ”I’m valued here and I’m learning heaps under this coaching staff and the players.“

there has been many criticisms of Webby (from myself included). But, he has improved every single player that has come here.

That's pretty special. And he seems to be working out his issues with bench and rotations too.

 

[Wah's Up]

Don't know how to post it but the celebration in the locker room was off the scale when "Webby" announced that Barney would be playing Origin. Great to see such a happy team. (And Fans)

 

[MrFrankWhite]

From the press conference it sounds like Niukore's days as a backrower are over. Webby pretty clear that his future is probably at prop and Leka needs to start and Laban deserves to be in the team...

Funny thing is, its almost entirely self inflicted. Him and Capewell were on the outer and Capes kicked in the turbo while Marata cant get out of 1st.

 

[Garry Saloon]

Just watched the presser on YouTube and someone in the comments said Ponga sang the NZ national anthem... Yes something is definitely up

The Warriors aren't a rep team and neither are the Knights. They did the anthems as part of an ANZAC ceremony. Ponga has NZ background. That's all. Nothing to do with league contracts. Whether he comes here or not, he's not dropping hints by singing the anthem.

 

[sup42]

With 2 fullbacks and 3 centres we won with zero wingers and our marquee signing and a whole bunch of mid level wouldn't get a start at any other club guys.

Winning in itself is a challenge. But winning cold night games, wet rainy night games and being where we are after 7 games is so much further ahead than I envisaged pre season.

We are having one of the best season openers in the clubs history. Seems to be passing a few folk by who are focussed on the small stuff.
Look, we ain't anywhere as good as Melbourne, but we play in a comp where the goal should be to focus on getting the most from what you have, rather than comparing yourselves to the special case in the Storm.
Otherwise you will never be happy and the buzz will pass us by.

Two players that I reckon are getting unfair criticism tonight

Pompey - had a big hand in 3 of our tries and is usually safe in the air and safe in defence. Yes, he's a bit slow, but still a great player for us with such an outside back crisis right now.

Pompey improves year on year.
He is finding his attacking confidence now, posting Try's and making assists.
Clearly he is evidence that Webster has a very strong effect on his players off the field, almost all are improving slowly year on year.

Pompey should be one of the first backs picked, he is our defensive anchor, all he needed was to learn to be less humble, less selfless when he has the ball, take it and gun it. For that reason a stint at Wing play has opened his eyes a bit to what he is capable of as a finisher in his own right.

 

[Gummy bear]

Don't know about you guys but I'm over Niukore, what does he actually offer that the kids don't?

He has one of the fastest play the ball speeds. 0.5 seconds quicker that the team average. As a result the lad taking the hit up after him tends to make more meters as defenses are often still back tracking when the ball is in Wade's hands.
I am not a MN fan boy but you asked the question, there is the answer

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Flat boring scrappy game but we got the 2 win.
Great game from Capewell again he's winding back the clock,
With Egan, Clark, and Ford tonight had superior effort.

With the attributes of the roster we've got i would say when u see its a boring scrappy game unfolding......thats a great thing for us, Thats where we need to live, u know we're on the right track.We're not a side thats going to blow teams off the park.

Been critical of Capewell as well this year (deserved imo) but without doubt his best effort of the year.

 

[Wrighty]

I watched some of the second half again. Gagai absoiutely clean skinned Leiataua on the Knights first try.
However Ali L learned from it and there was a play later in the match where Gagai attempted it again and Ali improved his lateral edge defence and moved sideways quicker to shut him down. So a our young blokes are learning from game to game and improving.

 

[RiceOwl]

Great for the boys to notch up another W! I was nervous before this one, thinking it may be the dreaded banana skin game, but this side certainly has a great level of resilience to go with the tight camaraderie that the coaching staff have built. I have to give Webby, Stacey, Agar and Cappy their dues for that. To be 5-2 from 7 is a fantastic start and one I didn’t see coming, and even more so once we began losing key troops in DWZ, RTS, and JFH in season, and with the departures or retirements of Tohu, Walker and SJ.

On the game, I’d like to go back and look at a replay but my initial impressions were :
- Metcalf had his best game at 7. I noticed he straightened up to help pull in the D line for one of Fords tries. His support play is also a fantastic feature of his game that can’t be underestimated.
- Clark is not only the buy of the season but could be our player of the year if his form carries on. Has been immense.
- Ford. Hats off to him for his 2 pies. For him to grind out multiple games of over 100m in the middle is a real testament to him and I am beginning to see more now as to why Webby backs him.

Even with all the positives of the above and relishing the fact we are sitting 3rd after 8 rounds, I am still tempering my expectations for us. Reason being is our PD being as poor as it is will mean if we drop a game or two we will plummet quickly. A teams PD is generally a strong indicator of where they are truly at, so unless we get a big win over the next few rounds I certainly won’t be getting carried away. If we pump the Cows or Drags (entirely possible) my expectations will begin to rise then.

Either way, I will celebrate another W!

 

[MrFrankWhite]

The kids are turning into a pack of hungry hyenas. I saw multiple tackles with Demetric, Leka, and Laban all pulling the ball carriers down.